Newington’s thriving Water Polo and Swimming program continues to encourage and support athletes to achieve. 

It’s been a busy and successful season in the pool for Newington’s swimmers and water polo players, says Director of Aquatics, Mr Ryan Moar, as the number of athletes competing and delivering standout performances continues to grow and excite.

‘Whether it’s giving it their best at the recent Australian National Age Swimming Championships or competing at the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships, our aquatic athletes continue to commit to performing at the highest standards in the pool through dedication, perseverance and aspiration.’

The recent Australian Youth Water Polo Championships were a case in point. Held annually each April for junior club water polo teams from across the country to compete for the ultimate prize of National Champions, 18 current students * who play for Newington and other Sydney clubs, were represented. Several Old Newingtonians competed too.

‘The calibre and talent of our Newington players was once again notable,’ says Mr Moar, a former coach of Australian women’s water polo side, The Stingers, which won Olympic medals under his tenure at the Beijing and London games in 2008 and 2012.

Congratulating every player on their performance at the championships, Mr Moar said several players’ achievements resulted in impressive rankings at the end of respective age group competitions.

‘Special mention must go to Orson O from Year 10 who was named Most Valuable Player of the U16s Championship,’ he says.

‘Additionally, Year 8 student and Newington player Peter V, who also plays for Sydney University Blue U14s, was in the winning team bringing home a gold medal. Likewise, other Newington players including Years 9 students Ashton H and Luka T, Year 10 students Nathaniel S and Orson O and Year 11’s Flynn V, Henry G and Max H, who all play for U16s Sydney University under the guidance of Newington 16A coach Steven Gotsoulias (ON 2015) also won gold.’

Also notable, says Mr Moar, were Year 12 students Robert W and Year 11 Sam R, who won bronze medals playing with U18s Sydney University.

Mr Moar also congratulated three Old Newingtonians, recently named in the 15 player team to represent Australia at the World Aquatics U20s Men’s Water Polo Championships in Zagreb, Croatia in June.

‘We are thrilled for Lewis Saupin (ON 2024) and Ethan Payne (ON 2023), both former Newington Water Polo Captains who will compete for Australia alongside Jamie Sharman (ON 2023) at the championships for the nation.’

It has also been a memorable season for Newington’s swimmers, several of whom travelled to Brisbane last month for the National Age Championships in Brisbane, says Head of Swimming, Mr Byron Li.

‘Only days after swimming in the 50m Butterfly, 100m Butterfly, 50m Freestyle and 100m Freestyle Brisbane at the Nationals, multi-talented Year 10 student Orson O hotfooted it to Perth to play water polo,’ says  Mr Li.

‘Meanwhile, competing the week before in Brisbane alongside Orson, fellow Year 10 swimmer, Luke L, also swam particularly strongly. He achieved two podium finishes in the 200m Backstroke and the 400m Freestyle.’

It was an extremely busy meet for Luke L as he also competed in the 50m and 100m Backstroke, the 100m, 200m and 800m Freestyle and the 200m and 400m Individual Medley. Toby Torrible (ON 2024), who is part of the Newington coaching staff, also represented Newington at the National Age Championship competing in the 50m Freestyle.

‘In addition,’ says Mr Li, ‘we also had five external swimmers from our Newington Swim Club who participated at the Nationals Age Championships, achieving finalist placings in multiple events.’

In 2024/2025 GPS Championships, Newington’s Swimming team also performed outstandingly well, coming second overall in total point accumulation and setting four new GPS records thanks to our outstanding swimmers, 37 of whom recorded top three finishes in their events **.

Newington also fielded its biggest State performance team ever for the 2024/2025 Long Course State Championship in December at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre with 20 Newington swimmers competing in a total of 87 events during the meet.

‘Overall, our swimmers had a hugely successful program on both the school and club front,’ says Mr Li.

‘We are seeing a huge growth in the number of high performing swimmers, and we are now carrying this momentum forward into the new season with high expectations. Thank you to all the staff, parents, and swimmers who have worked so hard throughout the season.’

Mr Moar concurs.

‘Given all of the above, we are confident of replicating these outstanding results in today’s (Wednesday May 6) CIS Secondary Swimming Championships at SOPAC, and we send all our swimmers the very best of luck.’

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*Participants at recent Australian Youth Water Polo Championships

• Oscar H (Drummoyne Devils), Peter V (Syd Uni), Felix F (Balmain)

• Hugo C (Balmain), Lachlan F (Wests), Lachlan O (Syd Uni), Ashton H (Syd Uni), Flynn V (Syd Uni), Henry G (Syd Uni), James G (Syd Uni),

• Luka T (Syd Uni), Max H (Syd Uni), Nathaniel S (Syd Uni), Noah H (Syd Uni), Orson O (Syd Uni), Tom H (Wests), Robert W (Syd Uni), Sam R (Syd Uni).

**Newington swimmers who achieved a podium place in GPS Swimming Championships 5.